TVK govt cancels DMK-era temple parking project in Coonoor

Public Lokpal
June 24, 2026

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced the cancellation of a commercial multi-level car parking project initiated by the previous DMK government in Coonoor using temple funds.

Objecting to the establishment of the car parking for commercial purpose for Sri Vinayagar Temple in Nilgiris district in the state, the government said the DMK regime announced the project in 2024 – 2025 at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. A government order was issued to construct the multi-level car park for Sri Vinayagar Temple with Rs 10.36 crore loan from Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple, Marudhamalai.

Considering the fact that this temple lacked basic facilities and earned a meagre income, the decision taken by the previous government to construct a parking lot has been reviewed and the order for establishing the project has been cancelled, taking into account that the project has not yet taken off, a release from the government said.

During a heated discussion in the Assembly on Monday, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Ramesh said the Ganesh Temple, which averaged 500 devotees a month, does not require a car parking facility.

“What is the necessity for spending Rs 10 crore on the project when the devotees want basic amenities? The proposed commercial project will not benefit the temple,” Ramesh said when DMK former minister P K Sekarbabu claimed that the project would augment the revenue of the temple.

Ramesh claimed that the previous DMK government scuttled the prospects of establishing a Siddha medical hospital in Palani with financial support from the Centre. The present TVK government has now taken up this and is in the process of conducting a feasibility study, he said.